New parks committee in the works?

EAST JORDAN — City officials want to get organized when it comes to their parks and recreation.

East Jordan City Commission members discussed a proposal at their meeting this week that would create a new Parks and Recreation Committee to oversee various parks, beaches and boating facilities throughout the city. The idea is to fold both the Elm Pointe and Tourist Park boards together and have the combined volunteer committee take on even more advisory responsibilities.

“We have so many assets and natural resources in the community and we haven’t tapped into all of it yet,” said Tom Cannon, East Jordan parks director.

The committee would be comprised of five or seven members who likely would meet monthly. The committee would provide advisory support to city officials for Tourist Park campground and beach, the city marina and boat launch facilities, athletic fields, picnic parks, Elm Pointe facility and beach, the Civic Center and the skatepark.

The committee would make recommendations to both the parks department and city commission.

“It’s Tom’s idea and I completely agree with him,” said Bob Anderson, city manager. “Look at how many parks we have for such a small community.”

Toni Jeffery sits on the Elm Pointe board, a group that hasn’t met for eight years. She likely won’t apply to sit on the new parks and recreation committee, but is eager to see it come to be, she said.

“I actually think it’s a good idea. There should be an overall plan for parks and recreation and it’s definitely time,” Jeffery said.

The committee could be created by city leaders as early as July or August and applications for seats on the board would be accepted soon after. The first meeting of the new East Jordan Parks and Recreation Committee may happen this autumn, Cannon said.

“It would be nice to have a diverse group,” Cannon said.

The first major task for the committee will be to develop a five-year master plan for East Jordan’s parks and recreation program. There could be opportunities to expand offerings through more park space or recreational trails, Cannon said.

“This is a way we will improve quality of life for people here,” he said.

Visit www.eastjordancity.org and look under the link for parks and recreation for more information about the city’s parks and recreation programs.